Broke out my old Marlin 22 Mag.

[CarJunkieLS1]

The first rifle I bought myself at 18 yrs old was a Marlin 22mag bolt gun. It is the tube fed model. It was my first love when it came to guns. It always seemed to kill what I hit with it, and it just wouldn't let me miss. I killed countless squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, etc with it for the next 4 or 5 years. Life gets in the way and work, getting married, kid, buying a house all gets in the way. So that rifle sat in my safe for about 10 years without being touched...

Yesterday I decided I'd finally get my first love out and let her punch some paper. Ran an oily patch through the barrel and then a few clean ones and to the range I went. Well it's like I fell in love all over again after some shots to rezero the scope I shot 4 different types of ammo and they all shot fine but to different POA, all of them lower and a little left or right, the rifles stand out favorite is for sure CCI 30gr Polymer Tip. It's what it's zeroed with at 50 yards and I was tearing the bullseye up without a single flyer. I let the barrel cool every 4 or 5 shots though.
May retire my crossbow for late night varmint control, and just say to heck with the noise and if my neighbors won't like it.

 

[Boattale]

When I was young, back in the early 70's I did a lot of squirrel hunting. My best friend had a Marlin .22 mag. He was deadly with that rifle. DEADLY. I envied him to no end, coveted his rifle and always wanted a .22 mag. of my own. Now I'm fortunate enough to have owned a 77/22 in .22WMR for the last 20 years or so. Love that round and the rifles that shoot it so well.

My rifle shoots Remington Premier 33 grain poly tip the best. Regular old Winchester .22 WMR HP's run a close second. Which is a good thing as the Remington rounds are no longer being made. I still have maybe a hundred or so. They are husbanded and never shot at paper.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

My rifle shot the grey box Winchester HP well too just a a little lower and a little right. For the varmint control I plan to do with it, think feral cat, feral dog, raccoon, skunk, armadillo, etc. I figured the faster quick expanding "Vmax" to be a better choice having houses fairly close by too. If I'm ever in the woods again with it the Winchesters will go.

 

[BullRunBear]

Glad you brought this up. I started a thread a few days ago about bidding on an old Marlin 782 22 mag bolt action. It looks like it should be pursued if in good condition. Sounds like it would be fun as a range toy since I don't hunt anymore.

Jeff

 

[22250Rem]

Decades ago when my rifle world revolved around rimfires I always lusted for a 22 magnum but life and centerfires got in the way and I never got a long gun in 22 Mag. There's a Ruger Single Six convertible in the safe right now with the 22 Mag. cylinder in it. It's great but I'd still love a bolt action rifle in 22 Mag.. I've sold a few other long guns in retirement so there's some space in the safes. I'm starting to get ideas..............

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I'm not really up on the current 22mag bolt action models as my old tube fed Marlin does everything I need it to do as it's accuracy really surprised me too.

For current models I'd look at Ruger or Tikka. Of course there is always the used racks at your local LGS.

 

[Boattale]

This picture is almost worn out now but here goes one more time.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

That's a nice Ruger you have there.

 

[Boattale]

That's a nice Ruger you have there.

Thanks, I like it a lot.

 

[gotboostvr]

I always thought the 22WMR was a great general purpose cartridge. Especially when small game is asked of it.

My little critter gitter. 22WMR/20GA Savage M24

 

[Boattale]

I always thought the 22WMR was a great general purpose cartridge. Especially when small game is asked of it.

My little critter gitter. 22WMR/20GA Savage M24

Those are real nice. To me at least, that is the optimum configuration of that style. Super practical. If you could only have one gun, that would be a good one.

 

[Edcnh]

I picked up a used Marlin 983S last fall. It’s very accurate and fun to shoot. I bought it because I had never owned a 22 mag before. Not sure how old it was but it’s in great shape with a stainless barrel and tube fed magazine.